“Both of Us Felt the Pressure”- The Last of Us Lead Actors Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey Share Their Characters’ Biggest Fears and Episode 6 Scenes That Gave Them “Sleepless Night”

HBO Max’s prestige drama series, The Last of Us, is by far one of the greatest series that blessed television this year. Based on Naughty Dog’s Magnum opus, the show dives into the grim dark post-apocalyptic war where humans, both dead and alive, are the most terrifying creatures in the world. 

Ever since the announcement of the show, there were a lot of expectations behind it. Many were concerned that the show will not be able to live up to the original game. But so far the concerns have been proved wrong and the latest episode was no different. Even the cast was well aware of the gravity of the show, especially during the crucial scene in the latest episode.

The cast shares why episode 6 of the Last of Us was very stressful

As the show moves forward, the audience is exposed to the nuances of the main characters. The story of the Last of Us revolves around the mercenary, Joel, and his cargo, Ellie. Where Joel is a rugged veteran who has seen the ugly side of the world, young Ellie is a rebellious teen who maintains a tougher facade than she actually is. 

Both of the characters have witnessed losses in their lives. Joel had seen his only daughter get shot in front of his eyes. While Ellie never got to know what family is and whoever she ever loved or cared for either left her or died. Joel is the only companion and guardian figure she has in this terrifying world. 

Read more: “Another Week of Painnnnn Awaits”- The Last of Us Fans Appalled After Viewing Bella Ramsey a.k.a Ellie Braving in the Winter in Episode 6

Directors and co-writers, Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann shared how the dynamic between them functions in the story. While Joel’s fatherly attitude helps Ellie to be less scared, Ellie, on the other hand, injects fear into Joel’s consciousness. For the longest time, Joel had no one to call his own or to care for.

But his circumstantial relationship with Ellie has once again shown him what it means to have a bond, to have a daughter. Even the thought of losing her instills great fear in his heart. In the new episode, this dynamic between the characters gets churned to new heights as both of them share a dramatic moment that is almost identical to the game.

The weight of this was very much apparent to the cast. “Me and Pedro both felt the pressure of that, and when you feel too pressured in something when you’ve created that for yourself. It can be hard to perform how you want to. I had sleepless nights for that scene,” said Bella Ramsey, focusing on that part where Ellie opened up to Joel after fearing that he was also leaving her.

“What’s incredible was to be able to explore things that were very much part of the experience of the game but you can expand on. One of those things is the internal life of these characters,” said Pedro Pascal, the actor behind the role of Joel. Pascal shared how the privilege of exploring the inner life nuances of the character made his journey in the game truly incredible. 

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